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If a gun manufacturer indicates their pistol (for the sake of this question lets say a 1911) has a machined slide and frame does that mean the frame/slide is not cast? I thought machined meant machined from a solid hunk of steel/aluminum and cast was a different process. I am not saying there is anything wrong with cast, I am just curious. Thanks mucho - Stan

Yes, you are correct.

USA1 is correct. To elaborate a little, machined is jsut that, metal that is cut or 'milled' with blades to the shape of the slide. Cast means molten (melted) metal that is poured into a cast, or mold the shape of the slide until it cools back to solid metal again.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_casting" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machining" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The scientific explaination...machining means you start out with a hunk of steel and cut away everyting that's not a gun.

I am afraid it is not quite so cut and dry to be able to assume that machined means not cast. Firearms manufacturers like Ruger have been "Investment Casting" large portions of firearms for many years. These castings are typically pure enough to be able to machine to final tolerances -- otherwise this would not have become a standard process. Similarly, most automotive engine blocks and heads are first cast, then machined.

The usual arguments seem to be whether cast or forged handgun frames or slides are better. The argument is usually that forged items have a more consistent grain structure to the metal and less inclusions, and they are therefore superior for both machining and long service life. The argument for casting is being better able to add features for a given price point, i.e. that at a given price point it is easier to produce a good quality (perhaps not best???) item with desired features that will serve well for an acceptable period.

Thanks for the good info guys. The reason this question came up is because I was looking at a 1911 (my first) that was advertised as machined slide and frame but several people told me that the frame was cast which I wanted to stay away from. I know there is nothing wrong with cast (like Russ said) and I own a couple of Ruger revolvers and they are cast but for my first and probably only 1911 I wanted one machined from a hunk of metal.

Unless they've changed since moving to the US, I believe Para uses cast frames and slides.

Newer Browning hi powers are all cast and are considered to be a little more durable than the
older forged models - I think it was a change either for the 40S&W hi power or a cost reduction
change before the 40 came out. Steve Camp would know better than I.